Load-trimmer.



No. 849,477. PATEN'IED APR. 9, 1907.

- T. IRWIN.

Y LOAD TRIMMER.

vAPPLIOATION FILED MAY 3.1906.

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PATENTED APR. 9, 1907.

T. IRWIN. LOAD TRIMMBR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3,1906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS IRWIN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Speeication of Letters Patent.

Patented April 9,1907.

Application filed May 3, 1906. Serial No. 314,914.

T0 all when@ t inn/y concern.-

iiBe it known that I, THOMAS IRWIN, a citi zen of the United States, anda resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Im provement in Load-Trimmers, of which thefollowing is a specification, the principle of the invention beingherein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthat principle, so as t0 distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to improvements in loadin devices, and particularlyin devices of the Iind now generally employed for loading coal from carsonto boats in the principal harbors of the Great Lakes. As is wellknown, the method at present there in vogue consists in elevating thecar containing the coal to a suitable height above the dock beside whichthe vessel is moored and in then tilting it bodily in the properdirection to discharge its contents into an inclinedpan or apron ofinverted triangular form terminat-A ing in a straight chute, usually oftelescopic construction, that conducts the material into the hatchway ofthe boat. Then the portion of the vessels hold below such hatchway hasbeen filled to the desired level, the vessel is advanced sufficiently tobring thc next hatchway beneath the chute referred to, and it in turn isiilledyj; Such chute is pivotally attached at its upper end to the panfrom which it depends, so as to be oscillatory in a vertical plane atright angles to the axis of the vessel. It is thus evident that by meansof it the vessel can be completely filled from side-to side andlengthwise for the width of the several hatchways. However, the spacelying beneath those portions of the deck intermediate of the hatchwayscannot be thus filled, as also that in the extreme ends of the vessel/shold, the bow being generally covered over by the cabin structure andthe stern by the boilers.

The object, then, of my present invention is to provide an arrangementwhereby this space can be utilized without the necessity of employingmanual labor and actually shoveling the material over.

To the accomplishment of this end said invention consists of meanshereinafter fully described, and specifically set Aforth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principleof the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings, Figure l represents in perspective thedischarge end of the chute above referred to with my invention attached.Fig. 2 represents in broken side elevation a gate forming an element ofsuch invention, while in Fig. 3 is shown in dotted outline anunloading-tower of the kind in connection with which the discharge-chuteabove described and my invention are adapted to be employed, such towerforming, however, no part of such invention.

It is obvious that for the purpose in hand a flexible chute, such asmight be employed in connection with lighter materials than coal, wouldbe absolutely impracticable, this for the reason that the tremendousimpact of heavy lumps of coal or the like descending Vfrom aconsiderable height would quickly pound such a structure to pieces noris it practicable to swing the chute longitudinally of the vessel, forin addition to the mechanical difficulties of mounting the chute to makepossible this second movement the hatchways are so narrow as to renderthe slight swinging that would be possible quite ineffective toaccomplish the end sought.

As will appear from an inspection of Fig. 1, my invention utilizes quitesimple means. The chute A, of which a portion only here appears, is ofthe usual rectangular crosssection, its length depending upon the heightabove the boat from which the coal-car is discharged. Such chute is ofcourse constructed of steel plates solidly riveted together. To form thetrimmer proper, I prolong the upper and lower sides of such chute somedis tance beyond the discharge end of the same in the form of plates AA2. The lower projecting portion of the chute thus provided is obviouslyopen in front and on both sides. Pivotally mounted on an axis in theform of aI shaft a, centrally disposed within the space inclosed by topand bottom plates A A2 and at right angles to the latter, is a gate A.The length of this gate A3 is substantially equal to the diagonal of thespace referred to and when diagonally disposed will leave but one sideof such space open. Thus in the posi tion indicated in full lines in`Eig. 1 all material will be directed to the right as it comes down thechute. Similarly, when the gate is lOO oppositely swung, so as to occupythe posi- 1 tion shown in dotted outline, the direction of dischargewill be to the left. l/Vhen disposed intermediately of these two extremepositions,` so as to lie parallel with the direction of length of thechute, the material will descend practically unobstructed and willcontinue straight on without being deflected at all. A preferredconstruction of the gate is clearly shown in Fig. 2. As there appears,it comprises two similar plates a, riveted together7 so as to inclose asmaller centrallydisposed plate (L10, whose projecting ends au arerounded to form the pivots on which the gate swings. It is thus seenthat the gate offers a practicallyT smooth surface to the stream ofcoal, and so minimizes the tendency to clog. It is of course understoodthat the gate need not be necessarily centrally pivoted, for it may befound desirable to prolong the outer end of the same, so as to projectbeyond the plates Al AZ even when in the diagonal position.

The gate as thus described may be swung by hand to occupy the variouspositions indicated and be there secured by any approved means, such asan arm attached to the upper end of shaft a and a pin mounted thereinand adapted to engage any one of a'series of apertures properly disposedin plate A. It is desirable,A however, to provide means for effectingthe operation of the gate from some station removed from the dischargeend of the chute, preferably the same one from which the swinging of thetelescoping chute as a whole is directed. This station is usuallylocated on a platform provided above the point of the inclined pan. Themeans which I have devised, then, for positioning gate A3 of theload-trimmer comprise a screw-threaded shaft dJ transversely mounted insuitable bearings a2 upon the upper face of the chute A and near itsdischarge end. Rotation of shaft a is effected by means of a cable a3,that passes around a pulley or nigger-hea( a4, rotatively mounted uponthe same near one end, such cable being driven by eithera hand or motoroperated drum at the operating-station, to which reference has just beenmade. Threaded upon shaft a is a nut a5, provided with a lateralprojection or arm a, that is connected, through an intermediate link a7,with a lever-arm as, mounted upon the upper proj ecting end of the shafta, to which the gate is affixed. Rotation of the threaded shaft aproduced in the manner explained will accordingly effect a movement ofnut a5 therealong and a concomitant swinging of the gate. The latter isthus readily made to occupy any position to divert the materialdischarged from the chute as desired.

The operation of my improved load-trimmer has been indicated withsufficient fullness along with the foregoing description of itsconstruction. By means of it I am enthe hatchways.

abled from any convenient station about the unloading-machine toproperly direct the stream of coal into the spaces intermediate of Ifind in practice that the force of the discharge is sufficient to carrythe material even farther than is needed to satisfactorily effect thisresult. The resultant economy in the general operation of vesselloadingis greatly increased7 inasmuch as the largejnumberof laborers isentirely eliminated and the operator in the tower practically controlsthe whole operation.

It should be stated in conclusion that while my invention has been heredescribed as applied to a particular situation, I am well aware that anumber of analogous applications thereof to devices for handling othermaterials and loading the same on carriers other than vessels might besuggested. It is generally adaptable, in other words, to trimming loadson railway-cars as well as on boats and may be used in distributingmaterial in bins just as effectively.

Having thus described my invention in detail7 that which I particularlypoint out and distinctly claim isl. In a load-trimmer, the combinationwith a chute having two opposite wall portions extended beyond itsdischarge end, of a gate pivotally mounted between such extendedportions.

2. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute having two oppositewall portions extended beyond its discharge end, of a gate pivotallymounted between such extended portions on an axis at substantially rightangles to the same.

3. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute having two oppositewall portions extended beyond its discharge end, of a j gate pivotallymounted between such extended portions on an axis located intermediatelyof their sides.

4. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute having two oppositewall portions extended beyond its discharge end7 of a gate pivotallymounted between such extended portions on an axisy at substantiallyright angles thereto and located intermediately of their sides.

5. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute having its top andbottom portions extended beyond its discharge end, of a gate pivotallymounted between such extended portions.

6. In a load -trimmer, the combination with a chute having its top andbottom portions extended beyond its discharge end, of a gate pivotallymounted between such extended portions on an axis at substantially rightangles to the same.

7. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute of substantiallyrectangular cross-section having two opposite wall portions extendedbeyond its discharge end, of a ICO IIO

gate pivotally mounted between such extended portions on an axis atsubstantially right angles to the same.

8. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute of substantiallyrectangular cross-section having two opposite wall portions extendedbeyond its discharge end, of a gate pivotally mounted between suchextended portions on an axis at substantially right angles to the same,said gate being equal in length to the diagonal of such portions.

9. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute of substantiallyrectangular cross-section having its top and bottom portions extendedbeyond its discharge end, of a deflecting-plate mounted between suchextended portions on a pivotal axis midway between the sides of suchportions at substantially right angles to the same.

10. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute of substantiallyrectangular cross-section having its top and bottom portions extendedbeyond its discharge end, of a deflecting-plate centrally mountedbetween such extended portions on a pivotal axis at substantially rightangles to the same, said lplate being substantially equal in length tothe diagonal of such portions.

11. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute oscillatory in avertical plane and having its walls on the sides transversely disposedto such plane extended beyond its discharge end, of a gate pivotallymounted be tween such extended wall portions.

12. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute oscillatory in avertical plane and having its walls on the sides transversely disposedto such plane extended beyond its discharge end, on an axis atsubstantially right angles to the same.

13. In a load-trimmer7 the combination with a chute oscillatory in avertical plane and having its walls on the sides transversely disposedto such plane extended beyond its discharge end, of a delecting-platemounted between such extended wall portions on a pivotal axis locatedintermediately of the sides of such portions and at substantially rightangles thereto.

14. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute oscillatory in avertical plane ,and having its walls on the sides transversely disposedto such plane extended beyond its discharge end, of a dellecting-platemounted between such extended wall portions on a pivotal axis locatedmidway between the sides of such portions and at substantially rightangles thereto.

15. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute having two oppositewall portions extended beyond its discharge end, of a gate centrallymounted between such extended portions on a pivotal axis atsubstantially right angles to the same, and means adapted to angularlyposition said gate upon such axis.

16. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute, having its top andbottom portions extended beyond its discharge end, of a gate centrallymounted between such extended portions on a pivotal axis atsubstantially right angles to the same, said gate being equal in lengthto the diagonal o'l such portions, and means adapted to angularlyposition said gate upon such axis.

17. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute of substantiallyrectangular cross-section having two opposite wall portions extendedbeyond its discharge end, ol a dellecting-plate centrally mountedbetween said extended portions on a pivotal axis at substantially rightangles to the same, and means adapted to angularly position said plateupon its axisI such means comprising a screw' rotatably mounted uponsaid chute, a nut threaded on said screw, an arm rigidly connected withsaid plate and a link eonnecting said arm with said nut.

18. In a load-trimmer, the combination with a chute oi substantiallyrectangular cross-section having its top and bottom portions extendedbeyond its discharge end, oi a deilecting-plate centrally mountedbetween said extended portions on a pivotal axis at substantially rightangles to the same, said plate being equal in length to the diagonal ofsuch portions, and means adapted to angularly position such plate uponAits axis, such means comprising a screw rotatably mounted upon saidchute, means Yfor rotating said screw, a nut threaded upon the same, anarm rigidly connected with said plate, and a link connecting said armwith said nut.

Signedfby me this 26th day of April, 1906.

THOMAS IIN/VIN. Attest:

l). T. DAvrEs, JNO. F. OBERLIN.

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